Kuwait Issues Contract Termination Notices to 7,019 Expat Teachers
The Kuwait Ministry of Education has started the first phase of its plan to remove extra staff in public schools. The ministry has sent 'Contract Termination Notice' documents to 7,019 expat teachers. These messages are sent using the government-managed Sahel application.
- The first phase affects 1,551 men and 5,468 women.
- The ministry found a total surplus of about 33,268 teachers out of 91,761 total teaching staff.
- The current teaching workforce is 70.6% Kuwaiti, 10.1% GCC and Bedoon, and 19.3% Arab and other nationalities, including Indians.
- This action will save KD 42 million, which is about $137 million, in annual salaries.
Details on Labour Market Data and Notice Terms
According to 2025 Labour Market data, about 33,100 expats work in the Ministry of Education. The total Indian workforce in Kuwait is nearly 579,000. The termination notices are titled 'إخطار إنهاء عقد' and use clause 4-bis of the teachers' second contracts. This clause allows for contract end during the valid period if they give a required notice. The affected subjects are mostly physical education and Islamic education. Other affected subjects include Arabic, English, art, music, mathematics, and science. The selection is based on appointment seniority. This rule applies only to government schools and does not affect private Indian or CBSE schools.
Advice and Steps for Affected Staff
Indian teachers must check the Sahel app every day for official notices instead of trusting unofficial news. Important steps for affected staff include making copies of contracts, appointment dates, recent salary slips, and end-of-service indemnity calculations. Teachers should also document handover processes during the notice period, check residency and Civil ID sponsorship timelines, and talk to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait about termination letters. Authorities warn against fraud and tell teachers not to give passports, Civil ID cards, or biometric info to third-party agents. Teachers must also check bank loans, vehicle financing, and housing lease agreements for early settlement rules. The Ministry of Education says employment rights will be protected. Teachers get written calculations for end-of-service benefits, unused leave, and final salary payments.